The steps in a Jewish Marriage

Matthew 1:18-24

 It was not that long ago, Jan and I attended a wedding and it was obvious the bride was in a motherly condition, and it seemed only weeks later we got a baby shower announcement.  I’m a little old fashion, and yet I do glance at the magazines at the checkout counter in the local food store, and it seems pregnant brides are in vogue for the Hollywood crowd.  I was wondering if most people who read Matthew 1:18-24, understand what Mary and Joseph did to prepare for marriage?

“The first major step in a Jewish marriage was betrothal.  Betrothal involved the establishment of a marriage covenant. By Jesus' time it was usual for such a covenant to be established as the result of the prospective bridegroom taking the initiative.  The prospective bridegroom would travel from his father's house to the home of the prospective bride. There he would negotiate with the father of the young woman to determine the price (mohar) that he must pay to purchase his bride.  Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was thereby established, and the young man and woman were regarded to be husband and wife.  From that moment on the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified, set apart exclusively for her bridegroom.  As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride would drink from a cup of wine over which a betrothal benediction had been pronounced.
After the marriage covenant had been established, the groom would leave the home of the bride and return to his father's house. There he would remain separate from his bride for a period of twelve months.  This period of separation afforded the bride time to gather her trousseau and to prepare for married life.  The groom occupied himself with the preparation of living accommodations in his father's house to which he could bring his bride.  At the end of the period of separation the groom would come to take his bride to live with him. The taking of the bride usually took place at night. The groom, best man and other male escorts would leave the groom's father's house and conduct a torch light procession to the home of the bride.  Although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the exact time of his coming.  As a result the groom's arrival would be preceded by a shout.  This shout would forewarn the bride to be prepared for the coming of the groom.”  (JEWISH MARRIAGE CUSTOMS)  Behold, The Bridegroom Comes! Dr. Renald Showers, Chairman of the Pastoral Studies Dept. Philadelphia College of Bible)
That is very close to what happen to Joseph before the twelve months timeline, and then it became apparent that Mary was with child and Joseph had choices.  One was to declare her an adulterer and have her put to death by stoning, and the other was to divorce her quietly.  It is reported that he chose the second until an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is form the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:20-23)  Now, I’m not sure what you think about the man Joseph, but he was special, a very special man among men.  This was his actions on awaking from the dream: “When Joseph wake from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son.  And he called his name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24)
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice